Enhancing Pipeline Integrity For Oil & Gas: Versatility Of Single Mechanical Seals
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<div><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">The conventional approach to addressing multifluid pipeline pumps has manifested the use of double mechanical seals for high-pressure pumping and a pressurized barrier fluid system plan 53. This is generally associated with heavy OPEX, and additional maintenance costs add to the worry of reliability engineers. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></div><div> </div><div><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">However, with the advent of some changes in the design, a solution exists to handle this situation by incorporating the use of a single mechanical seal along with a containment seal that can withstand pressures up to 100 Bar. </span></p><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">The mechanical seal concept includes a containment seal that withstands the full pipeline pressure, during an unexpected event of a catastrophic mechanical seal failure of the single product side seal. This implies that substantial leakage cannot, under any scenario, exit the seal gland uncontrollably. This provides a multiple fluid pipeline pump with a mechanical seal and comparable levels of safety and environmental protection.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Conventionally, a double pressurized mechanical seal with a pressurized supply system would be needed. This arrangement combines the performance advantage and safety philosophy of a double pressurized seal arrangement with the more cost-efficient single seal arrangement. </span></p><p> </p><h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">API Plan 75 </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></h2><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">The API plan 75 consists of :</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;" role="list"><li role="listitem" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" aria-setsize="-1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext=""><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Leakage collection reservoir</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></li><li role="listitem" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" aria-setsize="-1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext=""><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Level indicator (Level Switch) - to determine when the tank needs to be drained</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></li><li role="listitem" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" aria-setsize="-1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext=""><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Pressure gauge (PI - Pressure indicator) - tracks and indicates the mechanical seal leakage</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></li></ul></div><div><p> </p><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">This system is usually supplied by the seal vendor and is an emission-free arrangement with the corresponding API supply plan connection. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p><p> </p><h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Precautions During Failures</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></h2></div><div><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">In case of a catastrophic failure, total loss of the mechanical seal occurs. A standard arrangement of a containment seal, according to API 682, is designed to contain normal leakage under atmospheric pressure but not the full product pressure. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">In pipeline applications, the product pressure can be up to 100 bar and must be contained in case of a catastrophic failure. Therefore, the high-pressure containment seal is designed to hold the full product pressure. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Thus, by leveraging the benefits of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, coupled with careful consideration of installation procedures and operating conditions, the company ensures the safe and efficient transport of crude oil, minimizing the risk of environmental damage and maximizing operational up-time. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":279}"> </span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>This article was contributed by our expert <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vabh57/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vaibhav Khade</a></em></span><br> </p><p> </p><h3><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Vaibhav Khade</span></h3><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. Can you elaborate on the cost savings potential for operators when utilizing single mechanical seal technology compared to double mechanical seals?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Operational efficiency can be achieved by saving nearly 40 %—50 % on expensive barrier fluid circulation systems.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. What measures are taken to ensure the compatibility of single mechanical seals with various types of fluids commonly transported in multifluid pipeline applications?</span></h2><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>While selecting the faces, elastomers, and hardware, care should be taken for the presence and nature of solid particles, if any</li><li>TC faces can be used, FFKM Orings, and corrosion-resistant hardware in alloy material</li><li>Various combinations exist in API 682 chart to be referred.</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. What considerations should operators take into account when implementing API Plan 75 alongside single mechanical seals in their pipeline systems?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Plan 75 must be used for condensing leakage and not for gases. For the gaseous leakage, Plan 76 must be selected.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. How do multifluid pipeline pumps with single mechanical seals contribute to the overall efficiency and safety of crude oil transportation operations?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The configuration of the single seal with a containment seal provides a safe and efficient environment conducive to seal working and simultaneously provides cost benefits. <br>They lower the MTBR due to fewer parts (repair cost) and increase the MTBF (equipment downtime), thereby optimizing throughput.</p><p> </p><p> </p></div><div><p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":279}"> </span></p></div>
KR Expert - Vaibhav Khade
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